Metal News for March 10, 2008

We post metal news every day, throughout the day, covering thousands of metal bands including underground and unsigned bands. You are currently browsing the news archive, but you can also find news by band.

40 news articles posted on this day.

Norwegian avant-garde metallers RAM-ZET have posted clips of two new demo songs, "Requiem" and "Nr. 222," on their official MySpace page. The tracks are expected to appear on the band's upcoming fourth album, which the band began recording earlier this month. A late 2008 release via an as-yet-undetermined label is expected.

RAM-ZET's third album, "Intra", was released in July 2005 via Tabu Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Escape" (Spikefarm Records) was mixed in Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARKANE, MESHUGGAH).

MP3.com is hosting the world premiere of "Pyromancer", the new video from SAHG, the Norwegian heavy rockers who feature in their ranks members of GORGOROTH, MANNGARD and AUDREY HORNE. The clip was shot on January 26-27 with director Asle Birkeland, who has previously created clips for ENSLAVED and AUDREY HORNE. According to the band, "the script is loaded with prophetic mystique and blazing sorcery, and [is] a vivid visualisation of the song's theme on supernatural spiritual powers."

Legendary Finnish black metallers GLOOMY GRIM are back with a new album out on May 26th via their new deal with Anticulture Records. According to a press release, "this is the return of the Satanic messiah Agathon and his legion of doom! 'Under the Spell of the Unlight' will bring the band to a new level." Check out their new demo songs at this location and the artwork for "Under The Spell Of The Unlight" here.

UK melodic power metallers POWER QUEST have revealed the identity of the fourth person who appears on their new album, "Master Of Illusion": FOURWAYKILL singer Chris Neighbour who appears on two songs on the album: 'Master Of Illusion' and 'The Vigil'. For more info on Neighbour click here.

Other guest appearances on the album include: Bill Hudson (COLDERA, ex-CELLADOR), Richard West (THRESHOLD) and Jorn Viggo Lofstad (PAGAN'S MIND). Guest number five will be announced soon.

Metal Blade will release a special edition of FATES WARNING's 1989 LP "Perfect Symmetry" in June. The package will include:

* Remastered Audio* A bonus disc of "Perfect Symmetry" demos* DVD with over 90 minutes of live footage

Stay tuned for more information, including a possible video preview, as it becomes available.

"Perfect Symmetry" was recorded and mixed between April 1989 and May 1989 at Carriage House Studios, Stamford, CT. The CD was produced by Roger Probert for Major Productions and was mixed by Phil Magnotti and Max Norman. It was the first album to feature Mark Zonder on drums.

On March 8th (Saturday) legendary New York- based IMMOLATION appeared on Metalmania Festival in Poland (Katowice, Spodek Hall). It was their warm-up show before the upcoming Shadows Of The Emissaries' Curse Tour 2008.

At the festival Immolation shared the stage with such metal monsters as MEGADETH, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and SATYRICON. Two days later, March 10th in Prague the band teamed up with MELECHESH and SICKENING HORROR, to begin their regular European tour featuring 25 shows. America's GOATWHORE are joining the tour on March 14th in Trencin, Slovakia.

Unfortunately, the tour won't come to Stockholm (as was previously announced) due to lack of interest of local promoters. What a shame! The tour will last till April 6th. The last gig will take place in Warsaw, Poland.

Norwegian doom rockers OCTAVIA SPERATI have issued the following update:

"On our last UK tour Jan-Åge Svendsen and Tom-Erik Svendsen, from the Bergen based band TEMPLE SLEEP joined us due to the fact that our drummer Ivar's girlfriend, and our bass player, Trine, both were pregnant. We are now proud to tell you that both the children are born, in late January and early February, and all is well with both mothers and children!"

"But, since it is still early days for the newly borns and their parents, we are bringing the same session musicians for the upcoming UK tour this time as well. Jan-Åge and Tom-Erik did a brilliant job for us last time around, and we are very much looking forward to be playing with them again!" More...

After completing a successful trip to Switzerland and Germany in February, UK power metallers CONQUEST OF STEEL once again prepare to hit the continent as they embark on a tour taking in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic and Switzerland. The tour kicks off on the 20th March at The Ship in Croyden (London). Full details as follows:

Former INTO ETERNITY drummer Adam Sagan is currently working with his new band COLDERA, which also features former CELLADOR guitarist Bill Hudson and OUTWORLD singer Carlos Zema. Adam is also offering drum lessons and taking new students.

"Teaching is something I've been planning on doing for years, and I finally made it happen now," he said. "I am at a very high point at my career, playing with a ridiculously good lineup in COLDERA, and teaching will be making it much better."

"If you are interested in taking lessons, are located in the Madison, WI area or willing to drive here one weekly or bi-weekly basis, contact me. SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY."

"There are half- and full-hour lessons available. All skill levels and styles are welcome." More...

"After nine long years, the mighty RAMMER will be entering the grave at the end of March."

"It is supremely frustrating to me that a band so utterly unique and powerful should fall prey to its own toxicity and not be able to realize the potential it possesses. Many things over the years have kept RAMMER from becoming as functional and productive as it could and SHOULD be. All of you out there in bands who are reading this will know at least partly what I mean. It is the frustrations arising from this inherent state as well as constantly evolving personal goals and ambitions which have caused some members to leave." More...

METALLICA has announced a headlining concert on July 20 in Riga, Latvia at Skonto Stadium. Tickets go on sale on Monday, March 17 at 10 a.m. local time via www.ticketservice.lv. MetClub presale begins on Wednesday, March 12 at 1:00 a.m. PST.

V. Daniel Valor of Metalraw.com recently conducted an interview with TO/DIE/FOR singer Jape Peratalo. An excerpt from the chat follows:

Metalraw.com: "First of all let's talk about the current situation in TO/DIE/FOR, I know that the band are currently without a contract… what happened with the people of Spinefarm? You did not want to renew with them? It was they who did not want to renew? I ask this, because it’s really strange that a successful band like TO/DIE/FOR is without a record label."

Jape: "Actually our contract with Spinefarm expired and maybe there would be possibility to continue with them, I do not know? But we decided to start to looking for something new! Spinefarm Records is OK! But seems like they have no interest or time for band like we are. They have too many bands to handle. That's why we felt like we are not getting enough things like promotion etc. There are some labels who are interested in us, but this time we are not gonna hurry!! We need a company who is ready to work for us with huge motivation. At the moment I am writing new songs for TO/DIE/FOR, also other guys are writing new stuff! We are gonna be alive in the future more than ever!"

Austrian extreme metallers BELPHEGOR have issued the following update:

"BELPHEGOR just finished another part of the infamous 'Pestapokalypse VI' world tour, which was the third USA promotion trip for 'Pestapokalypse VI' album."

"BELPHEGOR would like to thank all die-hard metal demons for showing up to the events, the great response and sharing a great time with us. We can't wait to blast you all once again, fukking respect and see ya soon."

"Final additions have been made to the list of tours for the upcoming Bondage Goat Zombie European raid. BELPHEGOR will be teaming up with NILE and GRAVE." More...

Another new TORCHE song, entitled "Grenades", has been posted on the group's MySpace page. The track comes off the Miami, Florida-based band's second full-length CD, "Meanderthal", due on April 8 through the Hydra Head imprint (vinyl to be released on Robotic Empire). Recorded throughout November 2007 at Godcity Studios in Salem, Massachusetts, the 13-track album is TORCHE's first with Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, GENGHIS TRON, DISFEAR) at the helm.

Commented Andy Low of Robotic Empire, "Having built a unique sound with their self-titled debut and follow-up 'In Return' EP, TORCHE fully realize their potential with their most infectious recordings to date. No amount of heaviness is compromised on 'Meanderthal', an album that should fuel fans heavy fix as well as their undeniable need for catchiness." More...

Norwegian progressive power metallers COMMUNIC will release their new album, "Payment Of Existence," on May 30 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented uitarist/vocalist Oddleif Stensland: "This time we believe that we have created our most diverse and heavy stuff ever, but it is still COMMUNIC all the way. It has been two years since the release of 'Waves...' and the energy from touring and live gigging has left a few marks on this new album. The production by Jacob Hansen is crisp and fresh, and takes our sound to a new level, while the artwork by Jan Yrlund just completes it all as it fits the theme and atmosphere of this album perfectly. 'Payment Of Existence' will be released on May 30th!" More...

Veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers SKINLAB will release their new live album, "Skinned Alive!", on April 29 via BCD Music Group. The CD was recorded on June 3, 2007 at The Metro in Oakland, California.

A brand new SKINLAB song entitled "Face of Aggression" is available for streaming on the group's MySpace page.

SKINLAB's 1997 debut album, "Bound, Gagged and Blindfolded", was reissued on October 2, 2007 via Century Media Records. The repackaged disc features never-before-seen video footage and pictures with liner notes from founding members Steev Esquivel and Mike Roberts along with new artwork layout. More...

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH will take part in a signing session at the Hard Rock Café Amsterdam on March 20, one day before the band's concert in Amsterdam. The band will be present from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The signing session is a charity event. There will be an entrance fee which will go to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation in the Netherlands.

California-based Christian death metallers IMPENDING DOOM are touring in support of their debut album, "Nailed. Dead. Risen.", which has been hailed as "devastatingly dark and crushing metal."

In addition to their tour dates with DEAD TO FALL, ARSONISTS GET ALL THE GIRLS, STICK TO YOUR GUNS and WINDS OF PLAGUE, IMPENDING DOOM will also be making stops at the first night of Facedown Fest, the New England Metal and Hardcore Fest and July 3 on the Underground Stage at the Cornerstone Festival.

New York City black metal prodigies SILENT FATE have booked a five-date western mini-tour. Ramping up for the release of their 2008 album "Burned Buried Forgotten", the band will be performing some never-before-released material along with favorites from 2007's "The Autumn Machine".

This will be SILENT FATE's first step from the east coast since August 2007 when they ventured to Salt Lake City to film videos for an upcoming DVD. The west tour will be followed by more dates on the east coast. Current dates are as follows:

Joe Satriani has achieved legendary status as the premier electric guitarist with 13 solo albums, three platinum DVDs, and the mega-successful G3 tours. On April 1, 2008, Satriani kicks off the release of his 13th solo album, entitled "Professor Satchafunkilus And The Musterion Of Rock" (Sony/BMG), with the first of 11 nationwide "GC Sessions" at the Guitar Center in Boston, Mass. The much-anticipated "GC Sessions" will feature question-and-answer segments, autograph signings, and best of all, live performances by Joe Satriani. Following the album's release, Satriani will embark on a worldwide tour, kicking off April 30 in Lisbon, Portugal before hitting the continental European market, Australia, South America, and finally returning to the U.S. in the fall of 2008.

Italian gothic metal band GODYVA will release its new album, "Planetarium", in April via Razar Ice Records. The CD was recorded at the Jolly Roger Studios in Casamassima, Bari and was mixed and mastered at the Temple Of Noise Studios in Rome. The songs "Innocent" and "No Fault" see the collaboration with Mike Tarantino, vocalist of the brutal death metal band NATRON, while Luca Bellanova (Starkiller Sound) recites on "Mary in Blood".

"Fresh off their stint with Rage Against The Machine and others on "The Big Day Out" circuit, Karnivool are set to hit the road again in their native Australia. Bannered as the "Aeons" Tour, Karnivool is promising fans a unique and unforgettable experience. A list of dates for the run can be found here."

London based death metallers, Gorerotted, issue the following update on their Myspace page:

"The boys have literally just entered Parlour Sounds Studios with Producers Russ Russell and James Dunkley to begin production on Geat Dead Or Die Trying, and I'll be joining them in a few weeks to lay down some vocals. We're incredibly excited to be working with these reputable gentlemen and also to lay down our most accomplished, diverse and strongest material to date. I'll try and update how it's going from time to time, I aint gonna fill this page with irrelevant shite though, you can ask us more on our forum if you want (see link on main page) cos we'll try and check in there from time to time."

After postponing a handful of dates last week in order for guitarist Eddie Van Halen to undergo tests for an unspecified medical condition, Van Halen is postponing all tour activity until April 19.

Seventeen shows are affected, beginning tomorrow night (March 11) in Charlottesville, Va., and running through April 15 in Baltimore.

According to organizers, Van Halen, who has battled cancer and substance abuse, "is currently under doctors' care" and will "continue medical tests to define a course of treatment." No further details were made available. More...

Columbus, Ohio death thrashers, Pain Awaiting, issue the following update on their Myspace page:

"While it appears that we may not be doing anything, there is some things going on behind the scenes with us. We're restricted by $$$ availability and time.We are poor white folk trying to make a living, going to college, and trying to finance the band, so we're working on our options for recording, and we should have something worked out in the next few months. On top of that, we've found a place to do shirts, we just need to find the money to get them made as well. Once everything falls into place, we should be able to barrage everyone with shirts, CDs, stickers, patches, and whatever else we might come up with."

"Also, we're working on different ways to promote the band and getting our name out via the internet, so we're definitely not wasting any of our time."

Alaskan metal heavyweights 36 Crazyfists have debuted a brand-new song, “Absent Are The Saints,” from their upcoming album, "The Tide and Its Takers", exclusively on Myspace Metal.

Singer Brock Lindow comments on the song: “I’m excited people are finally getting to hear it. We’ve been sitting on it for a while, so now people outside our circle of friends have a chance to hear the new music. Lyrically, “Absent Are The Saints” is about how some people pray for and wait for change it rather than making it happen themselves. It’s about being proactive about changing your life.”

36 Crazyfists is currently touring with DevilDriver, Napalm Death, and Invitro on the Bound By The Road tour to support the May 27 release of The "Tide and Its Takers". The album is the Ferret Music debut from 36 Crazyfists. More...

The following has been posted by Biomechanical via their official Myspace:

"Biomechanical's live set up has now changed into a four piece comprising of Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums.John said:"I think it makes sense having one guitarist as on both The Empires of the Worlds and especially Cannibalised we only had Chris Webb playing the rhythm guitars. So the feel was coming from one guitarist and this will be better reflected now on the live set up."

"The decision came after Chris Van Hayden left Biomechanical as the work for his own band Chaosgenesis has intensified.John:"It's really unfortunate he left but I completely understand where he is coming from.I had the same problem with Balance of Power. I really enjoyed being with them but it meant that I had to give less than 100% to Biomechanical and I couldn't have that.Chris is an extraordinary guitarist and I'm sure he is destined for great things.Check out and support his band Chaosgenesis, these guys are great!"

"Biomechanical won't be looking for a new guitarist and will carry on with axeman Gus Drax as the only guitarist in the band.

Former Biohazard lead singer and bassist Evan Seinfeld has launched an explosive "outlaw rock" band, The Spyderz. The band’s raucous, SRO performances everywhere from New York to L.A., Vegas to London and Amsterdam—and their scorching signature riffs, marching rhythms, infectious hooks and anthemic vocals—have earned them raving sonic comparisons to Black Sabbath, Stone Temple Pilots, Guns N’ Roses and The Misfits.

Evan’s reinvention as a modern day next-gen rocker with roots in the classic rock he grew up with has already been a bona fide hit on slates with Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Megadeath and Motorhead (who shared the bill at Holland’s big Fields of Rock Festival) and Dave Navarro, Tommy Lee and Everlast (who also played at the grand opening at the Starlight Tattoo shop at Mandalay Bay). The Spyderz made their debut in Long Island last year opening for Buckcherry.

Evan’s connection to Navarro extends to other media as well. The former Jane’s Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist is an exclusive in house director at Teravision, the $20 million company adult film company launched by Evan and Tera. The Navarro directed “Broken” won an AVN (Adult Video News) award for Best High End All Sex Feature.

Along those lines, The Spyderz perfect fuse the realms of rock and raciness. For all the critical raves about the music, Evan is just as excited about The Spyderz’ over the top live presentation which includes hot modern go-go dancers doing their thing, spinning on poles behind him as the band jams. Several times, Tera has made impromptu appearances onstage, dancing in lingerie from her newly launched, insanely hot Mistress Couture line.

“There’s this huge void in the music scene today,” Evan says, “all these boring alternative and emo rock bands with no sexual feelings in their music, just dudes wearing ugly clothes from Hot Topic. Back in the day, Guns N’ Roses and Motley Crue were all about hot chicks, but for some reason now it’s become taboo. All the fun stuff is in the hip-hop world. With The Spyderz, I want to get things back to normal while also finding new ways to express myself musically. We’re all about all the things I love: the sexuality of beautiful women, freedom, motorcycles, choppers, hot rods and muscle cars. This is fun music for guys who like sex and rock and roll. I’ve directed some of Tera’s recent films and I’m excited about shooting a video for The Spyderz now. It’s the the best of both worlds.”

A much needed infusion of musical sexuality is not the only thing Evan’s bringing back in 2008. He’s also excited about celebrating the 20th anniversary of his original band Biohazard, which earned global acclaim, multi-platinum sales and years of world tours--to the tune of 250 concerts annually—opening for superstars (David Bowie, RHCP, KISS, Ozzy, Black Sabbath, etc) with its intense fusion of aggressive hardcore, punk and thrash metal, socio-political commentary and authentic hip-hop textures. Though Biohazard enjoyed a 15-year-run of best selling albums on labels like Roadrunner, Mercury and Warner Bros., this spring’s high profile tour will mark the first dates featuring the Brooklyn-bred band’s original lineup since 1995.

In April, 20 years to the day that Biohazard recorded its first demo, the reunited band launches six sold out arena shows Down Under, opening for Korn in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand. After a show May 17th in Sao Paulo, Brazil, they’re scheduled for a slate of shows in the New York Tri-State area in June, major festivals in Amsterdam and Germany in July and major shows in August and September all across Europe. More...

Within Temptation and Simple Plan are the latest bands to have confirmed their appearance at this year's Kerrang!-sponsored Download Festival.

Other bands set to join the three-dayer - which takes place at Donington Park on June 13, 14 and 15 - include Cavalera Conspiracy, The Dillinger Escape Plan and cello-wielding Finns Apocalyptica.

"The line-up at Download is always great, and it's something that we always want to be a part of," says Within Temptation vocalist Sharon den Adel. "It's one of those special festivals that you have to treasure when you're a band."

For den Adel, it will be a chance to draw a veil over last year's appearance which was fraught with technical difficulties.

"So many things didn't go the way that they were supposed to," she explains. "We had some technical problems that meant we started much later than we were supposed to, but even though we only ended up playing for around 15 minutes, there was still thousands of people going out of their minds. The crowd was so enthusiastic and that was really amazing to see."

Simple Plan drummer Chuck Comeau says the Montreal pop-punks can't wait to take part in this year's festival, especially when it comes to seeing Judas Priest and Kiss.

"It'll be awesome to see those bands at a festival like this," smiles Comeau. "Seeing that sea of people, and all jumping up and down at the same time or pounding their fists or whatever. I love it!"

Cavalera Conspiracy - featuring former Sepultura brothers Max and Igor - will make their UK debut at the festival, marking the first show the pair have played together on English soil since their acrimonious split after a show at London's Brixton Academy on December 16, 1996.

"I love Download!" says frontman Max Cavalera. "The last one with Soulfly was fucking great, and I think now it's even more exciting because it's me and Igor together in England, because of the last concert we played together in Sepultura. UK fans should be pretty fired up to see the Cavalera Conspiracy!"

The Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman can't promise whether vocalist Greg Puciato will repeat antics at Reading 2002, where he defecated onto a towel and threw it into the crowd.

"I guess it depends what he eats!" laughs Weinman. "It was a situation that we felt we really needed to take advantage of. We knew there'd be thousands upon thousands of people that had never even heard of us watching that day, and we just wanted to give them something to keep them interested.

"We're really looking forward it," he adds. "I'm really looking forward to seeing Judas Priest. If I can stand at the side and watch Halford cruise onstage with his big-ass motorcycle I'll be a very happy guy."

MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn has posted this message on the band's official website:

"Yo, yo, yo,

Quick update: Been hanging out in Dubai for the last 24 hours; man, what a crazy, modern, cool, surprisingly American-ized city. Something like 1/5 of the worlds high-rise cranes are currently in Dubai building high rises. I'm tellin' ya, in 15 years this city will look like Blade Runner! We're getting ready to play the Dubai Desert Rock Festival again, which is gonna be awesome!!! We're the first band in the festival's history to play the festival twice, so as Anchorman Ron Burgundy would say, 'it's kind of a big deal!!' Once again, they've treated us like fucking royalty, and it's damn cool I must say. I'm looking forward to seeing all the bands on the bill, as we know pretty much all of them, so it should be fun. AND they sell Grey Goose Vodka now, so it's fuckin' ON!!! Next stop, CRUNKVILLE!!!

It's funny though, Dubai being a Middle Eastern country and all, they've sent us a long, LONG list of things we can't do onstage, including, but not limited to: Drink alcohol onstage *cough*, swear onstage *cough, cough, cough*, take our shirts off onstage (not that anyone needs to see my 'hate'-handles), take our pants off onstage (they actually could stand to see my well-chiseled buttocks), flirt with local women (uh...), not to mention the fact that a JOINT will get you 20 years!!! But they rock the fuck out like few countries we've been to, so it's a killer time. We of course plan on obeying every rule! These fuckers have even blocked all my favorite porn sites, as the government-controlled internet doesn't allow people to view porn, MySpace, Facebook, etc.!!! Don't they know that the internet is for porn??!! Thankfully, I got some insider info on how to get around the web-block from some local kids here, and was able to finally get to my glorious porn sites. As Dave joked, 'dude, you got some tech support for whacking off!!!' Yeah... take THAT, government-controlled Internet!!!

I'm gonna give a wrap up of HELLYEAH soon, and we will post some video of that tour soon as well. Gonna try and get some cool footage from these crazy places too, I was even thinking about interviewing some local kids to talk about their Metal scene, and maybe ask them some questions about being a metalhead in the Middle East, where it really is almost dangerous, and the Government can come down and squash you... for real. I don't know if it'll happen, but just something I've been thinking about. If you have any questions you think might be cool, shoot on over to the message board and post them in the thread for this diary.

Across Tundras has cancelled upcoming tour dates for a variety of reasons, including a broken down van. Here's a statement from vocalist/guitarist Tanner Olson:

"Across Tundras is not breaking up, we are having to cancel the upcoming tours due to a lot of things out of our control (van breaking down, no bass player, broke asses, ect). I am moving to Nashville this summer to try something new, but rest assured, AT will keep on going strong. It may be a bit before we can hit the road again... but in the meantime Josh and myself are gonna be doing a new record before I move, and once the move happens... we are gonna play it by ear and see what happens with tours, shows, and new members to round out our lineup again. In the meantime we are gonna keep writing and releasing good music."

In conjunction with Vancouver, Washington's progressive metallers, Twisted Motivations, we've posted an exclusive track entitled "Time You Don't Have" on Metal Underground.com MySpace page to promote their current album, "Timespan." You can listen to the track exclusively on our MySpace page for the next month - starting today - so head over now and check it out.

"Timespan" is the second album from Twisted Motivations and was released on January 10th, 2008.

Leng Tch'e is currently recording four new tracks for a split 7"/MCD release with Fuck The Facts. According to the band, "These songs will be the first recordings with our new drummer Tony and will be a taste of what's to come on our next full-length, due in 2009." The split will hit streets this summer via Power It Up Records.

The Swedish heavy/power metal band INCRAVE will release the new single “The Forgotten” March 27th through Ulterium Records Sweden. "The Forgotten" is taken from the upcoming album “Dead End,” out April 25th in Europe and May 13th in North America.

The single contains the following tracks:1. The Forgotten [single version]2. The Forgotten [radio edit]3. A Shadow in the Dark4. No One Else [exclusive for this single release]